National Pest Management Association and University of Kentucky
find nearly all pest professionals in the U.S. have treated bed
bugs in the past year; most in residential settings

FAIRFAX Va. - The new 2013 Bugs Without Borders Survey conducted
by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA)
and the University of Kentucky, found that bed bug infestations in
the United States continue at high rates and the pest is as much,
if not more of a problem than in years past. The survey of U.S.
pest management professionals, found that 99.6 percent of
respondents encountered bed bug infestations in the past year and
that infestations have increased in the majority of locations in
which pest professionals typically treat for bed bugs. The study is
being released during Bed Bug Awareness Week (April 22 through 26),
a national observance by NPMA and Chase’s Book of Lists to help
spread public awareness about bed bugs and what people can do to
help curb infestations.

This is the third survey from NPMA and the University of
Kentucky which tracks the bed bug problem since the resurgence of
the pest began in earnest about three years ago. The previous
survey was conducted in 2011.

According to the survey, bed bugs are overwhelmingly found in
private residences including apartments, condominiums and
single-family homes and the incidence of infestations in these
environments is slightly higher compared to the 2011 findings.

“These results clearly show that there is still much work to be
done in the fight against bed bugs,” said Missy Henriksen, vice
president of public affairs for NPMA. “As Americans prepare for
summer travel, enroll their children in summer camps and college
students return home, we hope that these survey findings and Bed
Bug Awareness Week observances will remind the public that bed bugs
are still very much a problem and that with education and vigilance
we can work together to decrease the easy spread of bed bugs.”

Below are the top five findings from the 2013 Bugs Without
Borders Survey:

1. Nearly all (99.6 percent) pest
professionals have treated bed bugs in the past year,
slightly higher than the 99 percent that reported the same in
2011.

2. The majority of bed bug
infestations occur in residential settings, such as
apartments/condominiums and single-family homes, with 98
percent and 96 percent of respondents treating these dwellings
respectively. Two years ago, about nine out of ten respondents
reported treating infestations in these settings.

3. As in previous years, survey
respondents continue to treat for bed bugs in a variety of places
outside private residences, such as college dorms, hotels,
nursing homes, offices, schools and daycare centers, hospitals,
public transportation and others:

4. Clutter contributes to the
problem as approximately two-thirds of respondents point to
homeowner clutter as the biggest customer-oriented challenge in
treating bed bugs, while 58 percent say customers not
following advice and 16 percent point to re-infestation. Bed bugs
continue to be the most difficult pest to treat according the 76
percent of respondents.

5. Although not a seasonal pest,
prime bed bug time appears to be during the summer months
with nearly half (49 percent) of respondents saying infestations
occur most often then and least often in the winter. While pest
professionals are divided over whether there is “peak season” for
bed bugs, more than half of those who notice a seasonal difference
receive more calls during summer. Since people tend to travel and
relocate more during the summer months, it is possible that a
greater number of people unknowingly transport the bugs back home
from their travels, or discover them soon after moving.

More information can be found at AllThingsBedBugs.org,
NPMA’s resource on everything bed bug related, from prevention tips
to current news.

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with
more than 7,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the
pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public
health, food and property. For more information,visit PestWorld.org.